Montane Winter Spine

Montane Winter Spine

The Montane Winter Spine is a non-stop, long-distance race along the Pennine Way from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The course covers 268 miles with a 156 hour time limit and includes over 10,700 metres of ascent and around 10,900 metres of descent. The route passes through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cheviots.

The event takes place in winter conditions and participants can experience deep snow, storm force winds and driving rain. Daytime temperatures in January are given as around 0°C to 10°C and night-time temperatures around -10°C to 2°C, with roughly eight hours of daylight in January. The organiser lists 150 places and an entry fee of £1,345; entry can be secured with a £600 deposit and the remaining fee is due 100 days before the race. Payments are accepted online by debit or credit card.

Entry requires experience. Entrants must be at least 21 years old and typically need prior experience such as a mountain, hill or moorland ultra over 100 miles or completion of a Montane Spine Challenger event; other relevant mountain or navigation experience may be considered. Organisers provide a race information pack with route details, checkpoint information and a kit summary.

At the main checkpoints runners are offered hot meals and drinks, sleeping space, resupply bags, medical cover, weather updates and toilet or shower facilities at some locations. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.